2004 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2004 PASSAT WAGON WITH 58,000 MILES. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO WE STARTED GETTING A "BRAKE FAULT" WARNING FOLLOWED BY A LARGE "STOP". IT LASTS FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE MORNING, AND AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING. AFTER THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE WARNINGS UNTIL WE START THE CAR THE FOLLOWING MORNING. WE MAY GET ONE WARNING OR THREE DURING THE 15 MINUTES. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE CODES SHOWING A FAULT. THEY KEEP THE CAR OVER NIGHT, AND THE NEXT MORNING TOOK THE CAR FOR A DRIVE AND CONFIRMED THE "BRAKE FAULT". THEY TOLD US WE NEED REPLACE THE ABS MODULE AT A COST OF $900. OUR CAR ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT WAS GARAGED MOST OF ITS LIFE. WE PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM YET. WE ARE JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, AND FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COVERED. TODD KNOEPPEL *TR

OIL SLUDGE DEVELOPED IN THE ENGINE OF MY 2004 VW PASSAT WAGON 1.8T, CAUSING EXCESS ENGINE WEAR AND $2800 SERVICE CHARGE TO DESLUDGE THE ENGINE. THE SLUDGE WAS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM KNOWN TO VW BUT NOT MADE KNOWN TO VEHICLE OWNERS. I WOULD LIKE VW TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THIS SERVICE. AT A MINIMUM, I WOULD LIKE VW TO NOTIFY ALL CUSTOMERS OF THIS DEFECT (INCLUDING WARRANTY COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS) AND PROVIDE PERIODIC SLUDGE CHECKS, EVERY ONE TO TWO YEARS. *TR

2004 VW PASSAT 4 SEDAN REAR CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ASH TRAY ARE NOT SAFELY AND FUNCTIONAL INSTALLED WELL. HAVE THE TENDENCY TO KEEP COMING APART ENTIRELY EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRES LEADING TO BURN AND ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR POPPING OR BURNING OF WIRES. HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY DEALER AS WELL AS BY MYSELF TO FURTHER PREVENT THE MISHAP SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CHILDREN BUMP THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND IT CAUSED SPARKS AND BURNING SMELL. I WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE ENCLOSURE AGAIN FOR THE 13TH OR SO TIME AND SINCE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY IT'S NOT COVERED. CHILDREN SIT IN THE REAR MORE THAN ADULTS BUT THERE HAS BEEN TIME WHERE THE ADULTS HAVE CAUSD THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S THAT MY 9 YR OLD SON TRY TO REPAIR OR PUT BACK IN WHERE THE ENTIRE ENCLOSURE FELL OUT AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER HAS ACCUMULATED IN THE SUN ROOF AND OVER TIME THE WATER HAS LEAKED DOWN TO THE TRANSMISSION MODULE CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE SUN ROOF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION = 2004 VW PASSAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORT SEVERAL FUEL CONSUMPTIONS PROBLEMS AT HOY FOX VW AND GAS ENDED UP LEAKING OUT OF FUEL TANK AND CAUSE A SPILL IN MY GARAGE AND DRIVE. HAZARD WAS INHALATION GAS IN A CLOSED IN AREA CAUSED HEAD ACHES/ NAUSEA/DIZZINESS/ FOR MY FAMILY AND I I HAVE HAD MUTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE THEN HAS BROKE DOWN ON ME TWICE IN LESS THAN 1 DAY'S TIME. ON 01 SEP 08 MY WIFE NOTICED AND OIL SPOT IN DRIVEWAY AFTER I LEFT TO GO OUT OF TOWN GRANTED WE HAVE BRAND NEW HOME AND THE VW WAS ONLY VEHICLE PARKED IN THAT SPOT SHE COULD REACH ME BECAUSE NO SERVICE WITH MY CELL PHONE BUT I ENDED UP BROKE DOWN OUTSIDE BIG SPRING ,TX THE CARE WAS SLUGGISH AND LEAKING OIL THIS TIME AND ON 03 SEP08 IN /TEXARKANA AFTER BEING IN SHOP ALLDAY 2SEP08 IT BROKE DOWN FOR A PREVIOUS CONDITION WITH IGNITION COILS. HOY FOXVW NOT ADMITTING THAT MAY HAVE PUT THE NEW OIL FILTER TO TIGHT TO CAUSE TO BREAKDOWN AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGE ON 28AUG08/29AUG08 FOR OTHER NEGLECTED MAINTENANCE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER I'M SURE IT'S NOT JUST MY VEHICLE THEY TRYING TO ASSUME BECAUSE IT JUST HAD WENT OUT WARRANTY. THE ENGINE OIL COOLER WAS DAMAGED AND BURSTED WHEN PUT ON AT HOY-FOX VW BY A VW TECHNICIAN AFTER PUTTING THE OIL FILTER ON ENTIRELY TO TIGHT. LEAKED IN YARD AND I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT AND THE SPILLED OUT ALL OVER THE GROUND AT A HIGH TEMPERATURE VEHICLE (OVERHEATED) WHICH MAKE IT HARD FOR ME STOP WHILE DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SLICKNESS OF MIXTURE BETWEEN THE COOLANT AND OIL. ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD BUT ENDED UP SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND LETTING COAST OVER TO MEDIAN. *TR

OUR 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FUEL PUMP FAILED AT AROUND 52,000 MILES WHICH CAUSED OUR CAR TO STOP DEAD IN THE ROAD. LUCKILY IT WASN'T ON A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD. SINCE THERE WAS A FUEL PUMP RECALL IN 2003 FOR PASSATS, HOW DO I KNOW THAT ONE OF THOSE FUEL PUMPS DID NOT END UP IN OUR CAR? WHEN WE HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, THE FIRST ONE THEY PUT IN WAS DEFECTIVE. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE ORIGINAL PART , WHICH I HAVE. THE PART NUMBER IS 8E0 906 087E . PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR

IDENTICAL TO 07V375000, BUT 2004 NOT 2003 MODEL YEAR 1. NONE 2. FIRST TIME. 3. TOWED CAR TO DEALER, IDENTIFIED BROKEN FUEL PUMP. 3A. REPLACING FUEL PUMP. *TR

WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. FUEL PUMP FAILED. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP TO FIX PROBLEM. VERY SIMILAR TO 07V375000 BUT FOR 2004 MODEL PASSAT. *TR

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 PASSAT INSTRUMENT PANEL SINCE THE FIRST YEAR I BOUGHT IT. THE PANEL WOULD SHOW FALSE "DOOR AJAR" WARNINGS AND "TRUNK AJAR" WARNINGS. ABOUT A YEAR LATER IT STARTED SHOWING THE "GAS LID AJAR" WARNING LIGHT. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH LIGHT. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE WARNING NEXT TIME IT OCCURRED. THIS HAPPENED QUITE OFTEN, BUT THE WARRANTY RAN OUT BEFORE I COULD SHOW IT TO THEM AND THEY NOW SAY THAT IT'S NOT COVERED. THE INSTRUMENT WARNING PANEL NOW GETS SO DIM THAT YOU CAN'T READ IT WHEN THE CAR GETS TOO HOT SITTING IN THE SUN. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE WARNING PANEL STATED, "STOP! TURN ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY." I WAS 320 MILES AWAY FROM HOME BY MYSELF AT THE TIME. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. IT WAS JUST A MALFUNCTIONING WARNING. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, SO BECAUSE OF THE PAST FALSE SIGNALS, I IGNORED IT AND DROVE A 640 MILE ROUND TRIP BY MYSELF. A WEEK LATER, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON A TRIP AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE SECOND DAY OF THE TRIP, OUR CAR BATTERY WENT DEAD AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. HAVING A FAULTY SYSTEM CAUSED ME TO DISREGARD THE WARNINGS AND, THEREFORE, HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY. I AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED WITH VOLKSWAGENS PRODUCTS AND THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE AND INTEGRITY. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 VW PASSAT 4MOTION 1.8 TURBO. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY (WITHIN THE LAST MONTH) REPLACED THE #2 COIL. NOW TODAY EITHER ANOTHER COIL IS GONE OR THE SAME ONE. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT TO MY MECHANIC YET TO DETERMINE WHICH ONE IS BAD. BUT AFTER TALKING TO HIM HE RELATED TO ME THAT HE HAS REPLACED SEVERAL # 2 COILS THIS YEAR ON THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE.. SO I AM JUST GUESSING THAT THIS IS THE PROBLEM THIS TIME AROUND. MY VEHICLE HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. IT WASN'T THE #2 COIL IT WAS THE #1 COIL. I AM GETTING REALLY DISGUSTED WITH THIS CAR AS FAR AS RELIABILITY IS CONCERNED. I AM PLANNING ON A TRIP TO FLORIDA IN THE FALL AND AM WONDERING IF I SHOULD TAKE A CASE OF COILS WITH ME. I WAS AT THE DEALERS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED & ASKED ABOUT RECALLS ON THIS ITEM. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY.. I THOUGHT IT A BIT ODD BECAUSE MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS HAD SEVERAL COME THROUGH THIS YEAR WITH BAD COILS. *TR

STARTED CAR UP FOR MORNING COMMUTE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER TO 5. 5 MINUTES INTO THE COMMUTE A SMOKE SMELL FILLED THE CABIN. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION I FOUND THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED A DIME SIZE HOLE THROUGH MY CLOTH SEAT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE SINCE TAKING POSSESSION ON 2/14/04. WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER THEY SOUNDED A BIT SURPRISED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO INVESTIGATE IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT. *TR

THE CHAIN ON THE OIL PUMP, BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 96,000 MILES. IT WAS DETECTED BY A MECHANIC BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE ENTIRE OIL PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. HAD THE PROBLEM NOT BEEN DETECTED, AND THE CHAIN BROKE, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE BEEN STARVED OF LUBRICATION AND FAILED. THIS IS THE DIESEL PASSAT WITH THE BHW ENGINE. *TR

AFTER HITTING 100,000 MILES ON 2004 PASSAT, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR LOW OIL PRESSURE. I TOOK IT IN TO VW AND THEY QUOTED ME $2,800 TO REPLACE ALL OIL LINES AND VACUUM LINES. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VW ENGINES AND EVEN AFTER DOING THE $2,800 WORTH OF WORK, THE ENGINE WILL STILL FAIL WITHIN A YEAR. I HAVE GONE TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP TO PERFORM AN OIL FLUSH AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ANOTHER 500 MILES BEFORE THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAVE GONE FOR 2 MORE OIL FLUSHES. NOW, THEY WILL DO 2 OIL FLUSHES EACH TIME. THE FIRST TIME, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF SLUDGE THAT COMES OUT AND THE 2ND TIME IS CLEAR. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP AND WILL EVENTUALLY RUIN THE ENGINE. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1.8T ENGINES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. IT IS AN ISSUE WITH ALL VW ENGINES, NOT JUST THE 1.8T. *TR

MY A/C BLOWER MOTOR WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND MOST OF THE TIME WHEN IT'S HOT IT DOES NOT BLOW. THE BLOWER MOTOR WILL START ON IT'S OWN SOMETIMES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. OR IF I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH (DRYING CYCLE WITH THE BLOWER) IT WILL START UP. I HAD IT AT 2 VW SHOPS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

ENGINE STARTED FINE, AND LET IT RAN FOR A MINUTE OR TWO ON DRIVE WAY. THEN SUDDENLY IT DIED. COMPUTER SCREEN DISPLAYED "STOP", OILS PRESSURE CAN, AND LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TURBO BOOSTER BECAME VERY HOT AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED A CERTAIN PART OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE FAILURE. LESS THAN TWO MONTHS LATER, THE TURBO BOOSTER BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AGAIN. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STOP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WITHIN SECONDS, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A MASSIVE OIL DEPOSIT. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

IN APRIL 2008 MY 2004 VW PASSAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A CRACK, GRADUALLY LENGTHENING, IN THE WINDSHIELD. I REPLACED IT WITH AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WINDSHIELD, AND NOW, IN MARCH 2009, THE WINDSHIELD HAS AGAIN SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A LENGTHENING CRACK. IN NEITHER CASE WAS THERE ANY CHIP OR "DING" OR ANYTHING SUGGESTING ANY IMPACT OF ANYTHING INTO THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC REFUSES TO SEE WHY HER VEHICLE IS ACTING UP. SHE WAS TOLD TO PRODUCE RECEIPTS SAYING THAT THE OIL WAS CHANGED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE PRODUCED SLUDGE NO MATTER HOW OFTEN THE OIL WAS CHANGED. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT VW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THE OIL PRESSURE PUMP IMMEDIATELY. *JB

CAR PARKED FRONT FACING WEST APPEARS TO HAVE CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FOG OVER ON THE INSIDE. DEALER SOLD ME A KIT FOR APPROXIMATELY $15 AND I WAS TOLD TO APPLY TO THE OUTSIDE. THAT WAS WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS ON THE INSIDE AND NOT THE OUTSIDE. I AM RETIRED AND ON A FIXED INCOME AND NOW THE DEALER WANTS $250 PER HEADLIGHT PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THEM. *TR

1. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR (2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS, 1.8 L TURBO), AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SUBSEQUENT GEARS. IT WAS SUDDEN, NOT GRADUAL BY ANY MEANS - THE CAR JUST STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING, AND THE MIL LAMP WAS LIT...THIS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE DETROIT SUBURBS - NOT AN IDEAL TIME TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. 2. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (IT'S MY OPINION THAT THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY REPLACEMENT). UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD WAS FILLED WITH WATER, INUNDATING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS DAMAGED THE MODULE, AND EFFECTIVELY RENDERED THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. 3. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS BEING REPLACED, AS WELL AS A "SEAL" THAT CAUSED THE WATER INTRUSION (I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEM WHICH SEAL WAS REPLACED - THIS CAN BE ADDRESSED WITH A FOLLOW-UP). *TR

1. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN USED FOR 4 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EVENT AND THE SEAT WARMERS HAD BEEN USED ON HIGH EARLIER IN THE DAY WITH NO INCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AND THE SEAT WAS PULLED BACK AND THEN FORWARD TO ADJUST. 2.THE CAR SEAT HEATERS WERE ON LEVEL 5 AND WITHIN ONE MINUTE A VERY STRONG BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE AROUND ME. I LOOKED AROUND AND DISCOVERED IT WAS THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND TRIED TO WET THE AREA TO PREVENT THE LESATHER FROM MELTING BUT IT WAS TOO LATE AND A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A CIGARETTE WAS BURNED INTO THE SEAT FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 VW PASSAT 1.8 T. I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THIS WHOLE OIL SLUDGE ISSUE. ALTHOUGH I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM YET BUT I WANT TO BE PREPARED IN THE ADVENT OF MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL 2 YEARS AGO ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE FAILURE DO TO OIL SLUDGE. I SINCE THEN HAVE BEEN TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND PAYING 80 DOLLARS TO GET THE OIL CHANGED WITH THE FULL SYNTHETIC OIL. NOW I AM READING THAT EVEN WHEN USING THE SYNTHETIC OIL THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF ENGINE FAILURES DO TO OIL SLUDGE. NOT TO MENTION THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER COSTS OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT IF ALL RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES ARE NOT SHOWN. WHICH IS NOT FAIR BECAUSE UP UNTIL 2 YEARS AGO I DID NOT EVEN THINK WE HAD A PROBLEM. SO VW HAS A DEFECT WITH THERE UNSAFE ENGINES AND ON TOP OF IT THEY SCARE PEOPLE INTO GETTING THE OIL CHANGED WITH FULL SYNTHETIC AND THEN COME UP WITH AN EXCUSE LIKE YOU WERE LATE ON AN OIL CHANGE THEREFORE YOU HAVE TO PAY $5,000.00 FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I STILL OWE $12,000.00 ON THE CARE AND I OWE MORE THEN THE CAR IS WORTH SO I CANNOT SELL IT, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF. HAD I HAVE KNOWN THIS IN 2004 I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I JUST DON'T THAT THIS IS THE AMERICAN WAY TO SELL PEOPLE A INFERIOR PRODUCT AND THEN MAKE MONEY OFF THERE TURMOIL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 VW PASSAT, MY HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEG, THOUGH NO PERSONAL INJURY OCCURRED. *TR

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING MY 2004 VW PASSAT (REPLACING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH). I HAD MY REPAIRS COMPLETED AT AN AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE CENTER IN OCTOBER 2007 AND SENT MY FORM TO VW FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I RECEIVED A CALL ON 1/10/08 INFORMING ME THAT THE DEADLINE FOR THE REPAIR WAS 9/23/07. THE RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED WAS DATED SEPTEMBER 2007 AND DID NOT INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A DEADLINE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER IS SAYING THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR

ON 12/28/2007 THE OIL COOLER ON MY 2004 PASSAT FAILED AND ALLOWED LARGE QUANTITIES OF OIL TO LEAK INTO THE COOLANT. THE OIL COOLER REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER VW'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. PER THE PASSAT OWNER'S MANUAL AND PER VERBAL CONFIRMATION FROM VW, WHEN A PART COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FAILS AND CAUSES DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS, THOSE OTHER PARTS ARE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS WELL. IN THIS CASE THE DEALER, FLOW VOLKSWAGEN OF GREENSBORO, NC, REPLACED NOT ONLY THE OIL COOLER BUT ALSO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, AND FLUSHED THE COOLING SYSTEM 3 TIMES. DURING THE SERVICE THEY TELEPHONED ME AT WORK AND GAVE ME A QUOTE OF NEARLY $300 TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT BECAUSE THEY FELT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE FOULED COOLANT. AT THAT TIME I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, NOR DID I KNOW THAT THE DEALER ALREADY HAD THE THERMOSTAT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERS SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT THE COOLANT WAS THE CONSISTENCY OF MUD. THE $300 QUOTE THAT THE FLOW VOLKSWAGEN DEALER GAVE ME INVOLVED A DOUBLE CHARGE ON THE LABOR AS WELL AS VIOLATED VW'S WARRANTY POLICY THAT THE THERMOSTAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. THE DEALER WAS ALREADY GOING TO CHARGE VW FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE THERMOSTAT AND OTHER COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS, YET THEY WERE CALLING TO ASK ME TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AS WELL AS FOR THE WARRANTY COVERED PART ITSELF (THE THERMOSTAT) THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE OIL COOLER'S LEAK. DURING THE PHONE CALL WHEN I WAS GIVEN THE QUOTE THE FLOW VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THE THERMOSTAT MIGHT BE OKAY SINCE THEY WERE CLEANING IT. IN AUGUST OF 2008, THE PASSAT'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ACCORDING TO FLOW VOLKSWAGEN THIS TIME, THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TOTAL CHARGE WOULD BE $478. *TR

SIDE CURTAINS AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR A NON-CRASH IMPACT WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD AT CITY SPEED AFTER A SNOWSTORM. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF VERY MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE TO FRONT RIM OF LESS THAN $225. CONSEQUENCE IS OVER $2800 IN DAMAGE TO INTERIOR OF CAR FROM AIRBAG, AND SURCHARGE FROM INSURANCE TOTAL COST TO US WITH AIRBAG DAMAGE, SURCHARGES, AND CAR RENTAL WILL BE OVER $5000. THE CRASH SENSING ALGORITHM SEEMS TO BE TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS. *TR

2004 PASSAT 1.8T CAUGHT FIRE AFTER A COIL PACK FAILED AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED. I ONLY DROVE 5 MILES AFTER THE COIL PACK FAILED TRYING TO LIMP BACK TO THE DEALER WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. I PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF. *TR

KNOWN ISSUE "VIBRATING HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY", DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIRS AT DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO VIBRATE CAUSING REPEATED HEADLAMP BULB FAILURE. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *JB

MY 2004 VW PASSAT: WAS DRIVING WHEN NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CAR. THE CAR STALLED, HEARD A POP SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IMMEDIATELY SAW SMOKE/ORANGE FLAME -THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. *TR

THE SLUDGE PROBLEM THAT IS COMMON IN VOLKSWAGEN 1.8 4 CYLINDER ENGINES HAS HAPPENED TO OUR CAR. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BUT VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE JUMPED THROUGH EVERY HOOP THEY CAN THINK OF. THE LAST ONE IS THAT THEY WANTED THE VIN NUMBER PRINTED OUT ON EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT. *TR

THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) FAILED DUE TO A LEAK,THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ,I NOW FIND OUT $1300.00 LATER ON THIS 2004 GLX PASSAT. AFTER SEARCHING FOR 4 MONTHS FOR A TCM I LEARN THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM 2001-2004, THAT VW HASN'T ADDRESSED ,BUT IS AWARE OF DUE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM THAT CAUSES WATER TO ENTER THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD AND FRY THIS TCM .WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY OR FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE,DUE TO TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY INTO 3RD GEAR. *TR

OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 VW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO HAS CAUSED IRREVERSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TR

A COUPLE MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON MY HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT, I FELT SOMETHING STINGING MY LEFT LEG. SHORTLY AFTER, I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL, AND SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN. I COULD NOT PULL OVER AS I WAS ON A BUSY STREET. I PUT MY HAND DOWN THERE AND FELT A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND THE HEAT OF THE WIRE. I TURNED THE HEATED SEATS OFF, AND PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE SEAT. WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON I COULD SEE THE LIGHT OF A WIRE BURNING IN THERE THROUGH A DIME-SIZED BURN HOLE. *JB

SUN VISOR W/HOMELINK CAUSES #5 FUSE TO BLOW. WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT INSIDE THE VISOR CAUSING SMOKE. WHEN FUSE BLOWS YOU LOOSE CLIMATRONIC AC, CRUISE CONTROL, AUTO DIMMING MIRRORS, AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. *TR

NO REAL WARNING--MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR PASSAT AND THE ENGINE STALLED. ATTEMPTS AT RESTARTING THE VEHICLE FAILED. I AM THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS AT FAULT. I HAD TO PAY OVER $500.00 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP. WHAT'S MORE FRUSTRATING IS THAT A RECALL WAS APPARENTLY ORDERED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2003 MODEL YEAR PASSATS (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000). *TR

TRANSMISSION ON CAR "SHUDDERS" WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 50 MPH AND 75 MPH CREATING UNSAFE DISTRACTION AND PERFORMANCE LIABILITY. *TR

6/30 I DROVE MY 2004 VW PASSAT WAGON. I HAD USED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN, I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. I TRIED AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY AND IT WORKED. 7/3, I PARKED MY CAR FOR AN HOUR APPT. I RETURNED TO MY CAR TO FIND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. I TURNED THE CAR ON, TAPPED THE BRAKES AND TURNED IT OFF. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON. I HAD TO LEAVE TOWN FOR A FEW DAYS AND UPON RETURNING, CALLED MY DEALER, ONTARIO VW. 7/9 I MADE AN APPT TO SERVICE THE CAR. SYLVIA IN SERVICE MADE THE APPT. SHE MENTIONED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AFTER MAKING THE APPT, I RESEARCHED THE RECALL. I FOUND THE NHTSA SITE. NHTSA HAD A CAMPAIGN ID # 07V063000 FOR 6 MAKES OF VOLKSWAGEN, VARYING YEARS, ALL FOR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION. THE DESCRIPTION MATCHED MY PROBLEM EXACTLY. LATER ON THE 9TH, I WENT TO DROP OFF MY CAR FOR REPAIR. I WAS CHECKED IN AND TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. JOSE MEZA, SENIOR SERVICE ADVISOR, TOLD ME MY VIN # HAD NO RECALL. I EXPLAINED ABOUT THE INFO I FOUND AND HE SAID I WAS INCORRECT. HE DID NOT OFFER TO RESEARCH ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL BE REPAIRED. MY ISSUE IS WITH THE HANDLING OF THIS SITUATION AND THE LACK OF INTEREST ON THE PART OF ONTARIO VW AND VW CORP, WHOM I CALLED TO COMPLAIN AND WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY VIN # DID NOT REFLECT A RECALL. IF 5 OTHER VW MAKES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE UNDER RECALL, WHY AM I BEING CHALLENGED ABOUT INCLUDING MY CAR IN THE RECALL? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAN BECOME INOPERABLE WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. VEHICLE SAFETY SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY FOR ALL MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERSHIPS AND I AM SHOCKED AT THE LACK OF INTEREST I AM RECEIVING FROM ALL I CONTACT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. INCLUDING THE NHTSA THAT TOLD ME I COULD FILE A GENERAL COMPLAINT AND POSSIBLY BE INCLUDED IN A FUTURE RECALL BUT COULD NOT OFFER SPECIFIC HELP WITH ANYTHING ELSE. *TR

THE 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8 T CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE TODAY WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER BARELY SAVED HIS LIFE FROM THE FLAMES. THE CAR WOULD CERTAINLY BURN COMPLETELY IF LUCKILY THERE WAS NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER AVAILABLE AT THE NEARBY STORES. ALTHOUGH THE INCIDENT WAS IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY I HAPPENED TO LEARN FROM THE INTERNET THAT NHTSA WAS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATIONS ON THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 19 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS. VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN TURKEY TOLD ME THAT AN ENGINEER FROM VOLKSWAGEN GERMANY WILL COME TO TURKEY TO PERFORM AN INSPECTION ON THE CAR. NOBODY TOUCHED THE CAR YET. SINCE THE INCIDENT WAS TODAY ANT THE CAR WAS STILL AT THE VOLKSWAGEN AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE. I THOUGHT THIS INFORMATION MIGHT BE USEFULL FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION, AND WOULD LIKE TO LEARN YOUR SUGGESTIONS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO SHARE WITH ME. PLEASE WRITE TO MY E-MAIL ADRESS IN CASE YOU NEED DETAILED INFORMATION OR WOULD LIKE TO GET THE PHOTOES OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THANKS. *AK

ON OCCASION THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON AFTER CAR HAS BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ALSO STAY ON WITH NO FOOT PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHUTTER. THE CONTACT SMELLED RUBBER BURNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED IGNITION COIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 56,010 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,955.

THE ABS HAS BEEN FAULTY FOR SIX MONTHS FROM TIME OF PURCHASE A S BRAND NEW. THE ABS LIT UP AND WILL STAY LIT UNTIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT RESET IT. THE BRAKE LIT UP AND GOT STUCK WITHOUT PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL. DASHBOARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED, AND DID NOT COME ON THROUGH THIS FAILURE. VEHICLE SAT PARKED IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF DEALERSHIP FOR 15 MONTHS WITHOUT ANYONE INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES WITHIN 1.5 YEARS. THE ABS FAILED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK

THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR BEGAN TO BURN THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. IT BURNED THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT, MY TROUSERS AND LEFT THIGH. *JB

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, FINALLY FAILED COMPLETELY. WHENEVER THE SWITCH WAS OPERATING POORLY IT KICKED OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL. *AK

HEATED DRIVER SEAT BURNED THROUGH SEAT COVER AND THE OCCUPANTS COAT BEFORE SMOKE AND HEAT ALERTED OCCUPANT TO TURN OFF THE SEAT. OCCUPANT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND EXITED THE VEHICLE TO CLEAR SMOKE. INITIAL REACTION OF DEALER WAS TO SCHEDULE SERVICE ONE WEEK OUT DUE TO THEIR SCHEDULED VOLUME OF SERVICE BUSINESS NEXT WEEK, AS IF BURNING SEATS ARE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *JB

DRIVER'S HEATED LEATHER SEAT BURNED LEATHER SEAT AND MY SKIN. *JB

THIS MORNING, I STARTED MY CAR TO HEAD OUT TO DO SOME ERRANDS. SINCE IT WAS COLD, I WAITED FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP, AND AS I DID, I TURNED MY SEAT WARMER ON TO LEVEL ONE (THE HIGHEST IS LEVEL FIVE) AND AS I WAITED FOR MY CAR TO WARM UP, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE MOTOR, AND FOUND THAT THE SEAT WARMER HAD BURNT A SMALL HOLE IN THE SEAT, AND HAD BEGUN TO BURN MY PANTS AS WELL. THERE WAS NO FLAME, BUT IT WAS QUITE DISTRESSING. I AM AWAITING WORD FROM THE DEALER (SINCE IT IS SUNDAY AND THEY ARE CLOSED) BUT I THOUGHT THIS SHOULD GO ON RECORD. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR STALLED OUR AND WOULD NOT START. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT. THE CAR HAD 58K MILES. THIS HAPPENED JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER AN ENGINE COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED. I NO LONGER OWN A VW.*JB

MY CAR, A 2004 VW PASSAT GLX AUTOMATIC, HAS HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, WHEN THE SALESPERSON TOLD ME IT JUST NEEDED TO ADJUST TO MY DRIVING STYLE. MONTHS LATER, IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WASN'T ADJUSTING TO MY DRIVING STYLE. I TOOK IT IN AND IT WAS "FIXED." ABOUT MAY OR JUNE OF 2006, IT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS AGAIN, E.G., SLAMMING, SURGING, DELAYED ENGAGEMENT, ETC. I GAVE IT SOME TIME, HOPING IT WOULD "READJUST," THEN TOOK IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2006, WHEN THE PROBLEMS HAD BECOME MORE ACUTE. IN A 4-5 MINUTE TEST DRIVE WITHIN A MILE OF THE DEALER, THE MOST WORRISOME MALFUNCTIONS COULD NOT BE REPEATED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE TIME SAID THE MINOR ISSUES WERE NORMAL, AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO "WRITE A LETTER" TO GET THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED. ON SATURDAY, 2/3/07, A TRANSMISSION SURGE PROPELLED MY CAR OVER A SPEED BUMP AND INTO THE CONCRETE, CAUSING WHAT I PRESUMED WAS AN OIL LEAK. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE PRESENTS OBVIOUS HAZARDS TO PEOPLE, IN ADDITION TO PROPERTY. AS OF TODAY (2/6/07), THE DEALER IS REQUESTING THAT I PAY APPROXIMATELY $900 TO FIX THE OIL PAN SO THEY CAN DRIVE THE CAR AND ADDRESS THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. *JB